Over the past weekend we travelled to Slave Lake for Shayleen’s band’s powwow. Slave Lake is about a five-hour drive from Fort McMurray.

Last year we didn’t get there because of hubby’s accident, but this year we were greeted with perfect weather for the outdoor event.

There are a few treats for us when we go for the weekend.

One of my best friends from high school was Suzanne Campbell (Heukshorst) from Mabou, and she and her husband Kevin from Port Hood, are living with their four kids in Slave Lake.

And the other treat in Slave Lake is the actual powwow which is held on the reservation in Driftpile, about 70 km from Slave Lake.

During the powwow grand entry, they were introducing special guests and imagine our surprise when they said there was a group from Nova Scotia. It was a group of about 15 non-aboriginal youth, ages 12-18. Children from Driftpile had already spent a week in Nova Scotia, through an exchange program with the YMCA and the kids from Nova Scotia were here to experience some aboriginal and Alberta culture.

I don’t think they could have picked a better community to visit.

Since we first landed on their doorstep (so to speak) three years ago, they have always welcomed us with open arms, made us feel like part of the family and community.

If you ever want to hear an inspiring speaker, Google Chief Rose Laboucan or read some of the articles in which she is quoted.

We are proud to tell Shayleen that she is her chief, because she certainly represents not only Driftpile, but all Aboriginal people very well. She has her masters degree in education and places a great emphasis on how important education is for all our children.

I am hoping when Shayleen gets older she will be able to attend language, dancing and traditional craft camps in Driftpile. It will be a great way for her to learn more about her culture in a hands-on way.

Leaving Slave Lake, we had to travel down to Edmonton for a couple of appointments and I much rather the drive down Highway 2 through Westlock and St. Albert then the usual aggressive driving styles of Highway 63.

So once I get home later this week, I am again going to call around, email and make some inquiries into which companies are currently hiring.

I have had many people contacting me lately. Is it because the vacations are coming to an end?

I am finding a very long wait with some companies the last few months, as their human resource people are on vacation and the hiring process is extremely slow.

If you can go online and submit resumes from home, that would be your best bet instead of coming out blindly. I know you can find jobs ... but it may not be right away. And if you have your mind set on a camp job, you definitely need a resume and some patience.

I know everyone wants the camp job that will pay travel home, but some of them are now making stipulations that you have to stay with them so long before you get the travel, as they are having such high turnover. Many come to a few camps, get some experience and then quit and move on.

I am thinking of starting up a Facebook page for those who are job searching, since there always seems to be someone from home making the journey west.

I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Verna Murphy is a former resident of Port Hawkesbury. Her column appears weekly in the Cape Breton Post. She can be reached at: mackdale@hotmail.com.